Special Needs Camps

Looking for that something
special

Summer camp fun
is available to all children, even those who suffer
from chronic illness, life-threatening diseases,
physical, emotional, or learning disabilities.
There are specialty camps for these children as
well, and these camps help a child to adjust to the
disease or disability, build a peer support
network, and develop self-confidence and coping
skills.

Special
Needs CampsIf your child has a special need, if
he or she is physically, emotionally, or learning
disabled, you may want to consider a camp that
specializes in these issues. There are many
advantages in participating in a program designed
for children who share a common disability.

AdvantagesThere are camps for almost every
disability. Although many mainstream camps can
accommodate children with disabilities, you may
still decided that a specialized camp with benefit
you and your child. If your child has a chronic or
life-threatening disease, there is the security of
knowing that your child is surrounded by
professionals who are experts in treating this
specific disease. For children who have been
recently diagnosed with a disease, a specialized
camp offers a good, safe experience when parents
may be feeling especially vulnerable. For a child
who has had their condition for years, a medically
safe environment gives them the chance to take
risks knowing that there is a strong safety
net.

One of the most important benefits is that it
provides a child with a peer support group. A child
is surrounded by other children his age who have
the same disease or disability, and they can
connect with those who have to cope with the same
issues. Also, at camp, a child learns empathy, they
find out that lots of children have the same
problems that they have, and some might even be
more serious.

When a child attends a special needs camp, the
camp does the adapting for the camper. The camp
diet, activities, equipment, and physical layout
have all been developed to meet the specific needs
of campers. The camper does not have to adjust to
meet the demands of a mainstream camp. Special
needs camps also help children coping skills to
deal medically and emotionally with their disease.
While some programs have formal educational
programs, in others the educational component is
more informal, but still effective. Also, when the
campers see counselors and staff members who are
leading full complete lives with the same disease,
they see that they too can pursue their dreams even
with their illness. At a special needs camp the
entire staff, has been trained to deal with the
disease or disability, so your child will be
surrounded by people who understand their
needs.

Of course, the most important ingredient for
your child is still fun. This type of program, in
addition to other benefits, should provide
summertime fun based on the concept that the
special needs children are still kids.

Starting
the SearchTo find the right camp for your
child, start with your doctor. Your child's
specialist may be on an advisory board or be a
medical consultant for this type of camp. Health
care professionals understand the value of a summer
experience. Another excellent resource is word of
mouth from parents of children who share the same
disability. Other good sources include: parent
support groups, camp fairs for families with
special needs, teachers and guidance counselors,
camp advisers, online websites and news group, and
the American Camp Association.

Check
It OutOnce you have a list of possible
camps, the steps you follow should be similar to
any other summer camp. If you can, visit the camp
while it is in session, interview the director, and
check references with other parents whose children
have attended the camp. Before you enroll your
child, you need to know:

How the camp program, facilities, and
dietary plan are adapted to meet the special
needs of the campers.

How the educational component, if there is a
formal one, is integrated into the camp
day.

The range of disabilities in the camp. Some
camps are more targeted than others.

Mainstreaming
Your ChildDepending upon the severity of your
child's disability, you may decide that a
mainstream camp is right for your child. You must
make this decision after consulting with the camp,
your child's doctors, and perhaps an educational
psychologist. Many mainstream camps are prepared to
adapt the camp experience to the special needs of a
child. Mainstream camps often have to adapt their
program to meet the needs of individual children
who are not qualified as 'special needs', so many
camps will be accustomed to making adaptations. The
advantages of enrolling your child in a mainstream
program include:

The expectations for your child may be more
demanding, and children attempt to meet the
level of expectation.

Merely being in a regular environment may
ease acceptance of a child with a disability.
Peers, parents, and the community see that a
disabled child can function in a regular
program.

Children with disabilities may learn to
interact more easily with mainstream children if
they are living and playing with them on a
normal basis. It may also help some disabled
youngsters learn the social cues necessary for
mainstream interaction.

Many children with disabilities or chronic
diseases are already mainstreamed in school and
have learned how to adapt their situation to the
mainstream, so a mainstream camp would just be a
continuation of their regular existence.

However, some experts see disadvantages in
mainstreaming a special needs child. These
disadvantages include:

For the more medically fragile child, the
camp environment and staff, while well
intentioned, may not have the expertise or
equipment to cope with the demands of this type
of camper.

It may be more difficult to coordinate
treatment schedules. An intensive therapy
component may be too demanding in combination
with a mainstream camp program.

A specialized camp program may offer a
community of support for both the child and her
family which may not be available from a
mainstream program.

Peer pressure may not be supportive. Healthy
kids may sometimes become angry or disgruntled
when the pace of activities has to be slowed to
accommodate a special needs child. Though it
isn't nice, some campers may voice resentment,
making the special needs child
uncomfortable.

Working
With the Mainstream CampIf you choose a mainstream camp for
your child, it is critically important that you
establish a strong communication link between you
and the camp staff. You need to be honest and open
about your child's personality and needs. Some
families worry that if they are too blunt about the
effects of the disability or their child's
personality, the camp director will not accept
their child into the program. But the more a
director knows, the better prepared he can be and
the more training he can provide his staff. Also,
if a director has serious doubts about whether the
camp is appropriate for your youngster, you need to
know that up front and make other arrangements.
Give the camp director permission to ask questions
of your child's doctor, therapist, or teacher. It's
is important that you have a director that isn't
afraid to ask questions &endash; you don't expect
him to be an expert in your child's disability or
illness.

Best
of Both WorldsSome parents choose to combine a
mainstream camp experience with a few weeks at a
special needs camp. This may offer your child the
best of both worlds, integrating her into the
mainstream community, while providing the
advantages of a special needs camp. There are
scheduling and budget considerations, but this may
be a good solution, depending on your child's
condition.